2 Chronicles 10:18
“Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram, who was in charge of the forced labor, and the sons of Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam hurried to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem.”
Let’s bring in some background. This is the beginning of Rehoboam’s reign. The people came to him asking for things to be lightened. He asked the elders, they said yes, he asked his peers they said no. He followed his peers and the nation rebelled. 11 of the 12 tribes broke away and went north. A curious comment inserted was this was of God.
The king seeks to tap into the labor force and his representative got stoned. My read is he attempted to go back to things as they had been and hit a brick wall. No doubt the king is frightened. At times like this it’s time to go to God. He will tell you what to do.
This is the way back to inquire of Him. The road from Him could have been long. However, the road back can be one step. Unfortunately, God didn’t seem to be on the king’s mind. Solomon didn’t give him that example. He was so steeped in acquiring that he didn’t pass on the fear of God to the king.
One may ask, “Shouldn’t the consequences have pointed him to God?” Possibly. God uses those times. While one can go to God at any time, the heart is rarely right. Life events which awaken us to Him only happen on occasion. This was one for the king. We have no evidence that he chose God.
When one doesn’t choose God, they believe a lie. God is good and His way is good. By not choosing Him they are ignoring His goodness and choosing the lesser. Romans 1:21 says, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts.” This is what happens when we ignore God, our hearts are darkened. This was the king’s problem. This event should have turned him to God. We don’t see that.
I’ve heard people say they will accept Christ upon their death. That is certainly possible. Unfortunately, death may come in an instant with no time to turn to Him. Also, it may not be probable as we may not be ready. That’s why long, slow diseases can be merciful, as we have time to process and get right with God.
Pharaoh is an example. Moses came to him and passed on God’s request to let the people go. It says he hardened his heart and refused. Then a plague came, and he begged Moses to lift it. He did, but Pharaoh changed his mind. That continued several times until it says God hardened his heart. He cements our choices. He wouldn’t do this until we make a habit of it. A deathbed conversion would be near impossible for this one.
That’s why we need to look up when things get our attention. We might not have another chance. This was king Rehoboam’s time. He didn’t take it. We’ll see in our readings if he does.
Lord, help us to look up always, especially in the circumstances that get our attention. You only want to bless us. Help us to choose Your way.